Azamgarh: Police have made the first arrest in an alleged ₹2 crore recruitment scam in which 118 job seekers were allegedly cheated with false promises of appointments as yoga teachers. Mubarakpur Police on Sunday arrested Ritesh Verma, one of the key accused in the case, and recovered 17 forged appointment letters along with several fabricated documents. Investigators said efforts are underway to arrest the alleged mastermind, Ganesh Upadhyay, who remains absconding, with a police team dispatched to Delhi to trace him.
According to police, Verma was arrested near the Mubarakpur Roadways intersection. Investigators are examining the recovered documents and other evidence to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify the candidates who were issued forged appointment letters.
The investigation revealed that Verma worked as a district coordinator for an NGO. Police alleged that Ganesh Upadhyay, who operates the Delhi-based organisation Max Idea, had appointed him to the position. Investigators believe the network used the NGO as a platform to lure unemployed candidates by promising jobs as yoga teachers in government schools and through an NGO-linked recruitment programme.
Police said the alleged fraud took place last year in the Sathiaon education block under the Mubarakpur police station limits, where 118 applicants were allegedly persuaded to pay money in exchange for promised appointments. Each candidate allegedly paid between ₹1.35 lakh and ₹1.50 lakh, resulting in collections of more than ₹2 crore. After receiving the payments, the accused allegedly issued forged appointment letters. The victims reportedly realised they had been deceived only when the promised appointments failed to materialise and the documents were found to be fraudulent.
The case was registered following a complaint filed by Sujata Jaiswal, a resident of the Old Basti Roadways locality in Mubarakpur. In her complaint, she accused Ritesh Verma, Sandeep Gupta, Ganesh Upadhyay and their associates of collecting money from candidates on the pretext of securing employment and later cheating them by issuing forged appointment letters. Based on the complaint, police registered a First Information Report under multiple provisions related to cheating, forgery and fabrication of documents before launching an investigation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said employment scams frequently rely on forged appointment letters, fake organisations and recruitment procedures designed to resemble genuine government hiring processes. He advised job seekers to independently verify recruitment notifications, official websites and selection procedures before making any payment and to avoid relying solely on claims made by private individuals or organisations.
During the investigation, police also identified issues requiring administrative scrutiny. Authorities have reportedly recommended departmental action to the District Magistrate against the District Basic Education Officer and the then Block Education Officer of Sathiaon. Investigators allege that the primary accused, Ganesh Upadhyay, obtained documents related to the deployment of yoga teachers through these officials. Police are examining whether any procedural lapses or irregularities occurred during the process.
Police teams continue to conduct raids to apprehend the remaining absconding accused. Investigators are analysing seized documents, bank records, mobile phones and other electronic evidence to uncover the full extent of the network. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are likely as additional evidence emerges.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
